Math Focus
Hi everyone,
As you know, math has been a strong area of focus that came out of our look at test scores two years ago. The main school-wide strategy that we have adopted is the guided math model which is designed to ensure that students are getting individualized instruction based on their ability level. I would like to schedule time to come in and see it in action in your classroom. Please let me know when your math block is so that I can make time to do that.
Math Manipulatives-Box Cars and One-eyed Jacks
PTC bought us a kit from Box Cars and One-eyed Jacks which has many different manipulative and game options. They are housed in the closet in the Tech lab near the STEM bins. There are also books that explain many of the games, but here are some links to games as well. I invite you, if you haven't done so already, to explore a game or two. If there becomes a need for a sign out sheet(which would be awesome), please let me know.
Math Fluency Practice
Also, in an effort to provide our students with additional fluency practice that is not stressful and isn't something that you have to try to make time for, we will have ten minutes of technology devoted to online practice at Xtra Math. Student accounts have been created. Thank you to Mrs. Jone's classes for helping our younger students create sign ins! Kathy will provide you with access to your class account.
In addition to this, we are using a trial of Formative Loop in grades 1-8. This is an individualized fluency practice as well. In an effort to emphasize a community focus on and embracing of math, this will be done right after Morning Meeting and is called Math Moments. Preschool and K will be dismissed after morning meeting and 1st-8th will take a quick 5 minute pencil and paper practice. While it is timed, it is only because we don't have too much time to fit it in. It will be promoted as a fun morning brain exercise that we get to do together. After the initial day, the student's papers will be individualized. I am adding teacher access for you so that you can see their progress. To make this easy for you, classes have already been set up. I will enter the grades each day(M, T, Th, F) and print the next days work for you. You will only be asked to hand out the papers and make sure that each student has a pencil(which I will also provide) at the Math Moments. I know that this will be tricky at first, but the advantages, I believe, will far outweigh the disadvantages/inconvenience. I would like to begin next Thursday so we have a chance to discuss it beforehand on Tuesday at the Faculty Meeting.